Method for preparing a polycarboxylic composition comprising an electrochemical oxidation stage of a monosaccharide composition

Abstract

A method for preparing a polycarboxylic composition, includes a stage in which a monosaccharide composition undergoes an electrochemical oxidation treatment carried out in the absence of sodium hypochlorite and in the presence of a) an amine oxide and b) a carbon-based anode. Preferably, the anode is selected from the group comprising carbon felt and granular active carbon. The electrochemical oxidation treatment can be carried out advantageously at a pH, preferably of between 11.5 and 14. The method makes it possible to obtain novel products, especially 2-carboxy-2, 3, 4-trihydroxypentane-dioicious acid, the salts and derivatives thereof.

1. A polycarboxylic composition produced by subjecting a monosaccharide composition to an electrochemical oxidation treatment carried out in the absence of sodium hypochlorite and in the presence of a) an amine oxide and b) a carbon-based anode, wherein said polycarboxylic composition comprises:
 from 30 to 90% of glucaric acid, in the free acid form and/or in the form of (a) salt(s), and 
 from 3 to 50% of 2-carboxy-2,3,4-trihydroxypentanedioic acid, in the free acid form and/or in the form of (a) salt(s). 
 
     
     
       2. A polycarboxylic composition produced by subjecting a monosaccharide composition to an electrochemical oxidation treatment carried out in the absence of sodium hypochlorite and in the presence of a) an amine oxide and b) a carbon-based anode, wherein said polycarboxylic composition comprises glucaric acid and 2-carboxy-2,3,4-trihydroxypentanedioic acid, and in total at least 90% of glucaric acid and of 2-carboxy-2,3,4-trihydroxypentanedioic acid, this percentage being expressed as total dry weight of said products with respect to the total dry weight of said composition. 
     
     
       3. A method for preparing the polycarboxylic composition according to  claim 1 , said method comprising subjecting a monosaccharide composition to an electrochemical oxidation treatment carried out in the absence of sodium hypochlorite and in the presence of a) an amine oxide and b) a carbon-based anode. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said anode is based on a carbon material having a specific surface at least equal to 0.10 m 2 /g, preferably at least equal to 0.20m 2 /g. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said carbon material has a specific surface at least equal to 0.25m 2 /g. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said anode is selected from the group consisting of carbon felts and granular active charcoals. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said electrochemical oxidation treatment is carried out at a pH of between 10 to 14. 
     
     
       8. The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the pH is between 11.5 and 14. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the pH is between 12 and 13.5. 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said electrochemical oxidation treatment is also carried out in the absence of sodium bromide.